3. Context
• Seti I year 8 (c. 1299 BC), pharaoh’s army led a
seven-day campaign against Nubians in Irem,
located around six desert wells
• stela commemorating victory, set up at Amara
West: ‘the foes of the foreign land of Irem are
plotting rebellion’
• 4 men, 49 children, 66 servants and 420 cattle
were seized
• Ramses II: further changes became evident in
Lower Nubia with the construction of vast
temples to proclaim pharaoh’s rule over Nubia
• less activity at the earlier Egyptian towns of
Sesebi, Soleb and Sai
• Natural wealth of Nubia remained important:
• Seti I commissioned a large stela to be carved at
Nauri detailing the produce and goods coming
from Nubia for the benefit of the mortuary
temple of the king at Abydos
